OMAHA — Another terrific Florida State baseball season ended in disappointment at the College World Series.
Arizona converted three errors into a six-run first inning and advanced to the CWS final with a 10-3 victory over Florida State on Thursday.
“About the easiest way to sum it up is say we got taken to the woodshed,” said veteran FSU coach Mike Martin.
The Seminoles (50-17) made their 21st appearance in Omaha. No other team has played in the CWS as many times without winning a championship. Martin has been FSU’s coach for 15 of those trips to Omaha.
He said the championship drought isn’t testing his patience.
“Not at all,” he said. “I’ll tell you exactly how I feel. It’s Christmastime. You get to come to Omaha and experience the week of Christmas with great people. You’ll have memories that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
“No, I don’t feel like Job. I feel like King David, because I am on top of the world with people that will fight for you for 27 outs in a game.”
Star center fielder James Ramsey, the St. Louis Cardinals’ first-round draft pick this month, said the Seminoles got the most out of themselves.
“There weren’t a whole lot of expectations, but inside the clubhouse there were a lot of guys that fought for each other on and off the field,” Ramsey said. “I don’t regret anything. It’s been a great year. I feel extremely blessed for every opportunity. And I’m not really that upset the season’s over from that standpoint, knowing that guys who played with me fought to the very last out.”
Arizona (46-17) won Bracket 1 by staying undefeated in the CWS and will open the best-of-three title series Sunday against Arkansas or South Carolina, which met Friday night in a loser-go-home game. Arizona will be playing for its fourth national championship and first since 1986.
The Wildcats have won nine games in a row and are 56-0 when scoring nine or more runs since March 2010.
“They did not give us any room to breathe,” Martin said of the Wildcats. “It’s a credit to Andy (Lopez) and his (coaching) staff. They’re very aggressive, but they’re very picky at the plate.”
Arkansas vs. South Carolina. Late game.
